How to Keep an Epic Expedition Journal

Journaling can be a great way to remember your trip into the wilderness and reflect after a long day outside. Not to mention that writing daily has numerous benefits that are great for any expedition, from improving your communication skills and emotional intelligence to helping you achieve your goals. But keeping a trip journal can be difficult!

Include drawings.

Multimedia is where it’s at! Plus, sitting down to draw, regardless of your skill level, can help you take time to enjoy your surroundings and appreciate the moment. Give it a shot!

Write creatively.

Instead of just writing down exactly what you did that day, where you went, who annoyed you, etc., try a more creative form of writing. This could include writing a poem, a list, or a short piece of fiction inspired by the day's events. Perhaps you met a few folks on the trail who could be characters in your next short story!

Photo by Tracy Baynes.

Be detailed.

You don’t want your journal to be full of the word “beautiful” for each new campsite—write down the colors you saw, the sounds you heard, and the aromas you smelled. Don’t forget to include your day's high points, low points, distances you traveled, elevations you reached, and the interesting people you met.